Every Cloud...

Well tomorrow is the last day of my tech writing contract. Im a writer for a 'redmond based software giant' and we are assigned 1-year long contracts and then have to take a 3-month 'break' (read unemployment). The year has flown by and Ive been super-busy but still managed to keep the cycling rolling along - even through the winter. Ive not had a 'week off' from work since last July 2011, so as you can imagine Im getting pretty psyched to be having some free time. It would be perfect if it wasnt for that forced unemployment thing. So in turning lemons to lemonade, Ive planned out a bunch of longish rides (in between job searching) that begin with a 50-mile ride to GasWorks Park in Seattle on Wednesday. My plan is to clock in 100 miles per week up through mid August when I have a sponsored 2-day ride of 200 miles from Seattle to Vancouver, Canada. Im excited for that too. Its a hilly ride for me but I figure even if i dont make it, I will have achieved much more than sitting on the couch.

I could sit around the house moping until the 3-month 'break' is over but with the recent great weather and my Roubaix sitting all pretty in the garage - what a great time to be a cycling clyde . Times like this are when I really appreciate cycling. A cheap hobby (once you have the bike) that only results in good things.

Unemployment is fun for a while. I enjoyed it for 6 months or so then turned into a real bummer. Hard to find a decent job then the mind is hard to focus on riding. I like being back at work, helps me get back into the swing of things and the mind is at ease. Nice being off it ain't too long.

Unemployment is fun for a while. I enjoyed it for 6 months or so then turned into a real bummer. Hard to find a decent job then the mind is hard to focus on riding. I like being back at work, helps me get back into the swing of things and the mind is at ease. Nice being off it ain't too long.

Tell me about it. Trust me, its not my choice. Its a catch 22 - working = less time for riding, unemployed = more time but less $ for bike stuff. Oh well, it is what it is.